Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Holiday Fun with Peeps Featuring Gingerbread White Hot Cocoa PEEPSONALITY
My Gingerbread Hot White Cocoa features a trio of warm spices normally found in gingerbread. To make this decadent treat extra fun, each mug of cocoa is served garnished with an easy-to-make gingerbread man marshmallow Peep stirrer. Its a win-win: everyone gets to enjoy a comforting mug of white chocolate-infused cocoa...and they get to enjoy a tasty gingerbread marshmallow Peep too. This white cocoa is ready to drink in about 20 minutes. While the cocoa is heating on the stovetop, you have a pocket of time to make the adorable Peep stirrers. Let me show you how easy it is!
Gingerbread Hot White Cocoa
a Weekend Gourmet Original
Ingredients (makes 3-4 mugs of cocoa):
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- Whipped cream for garnish
For the gingerbread man marshmallow Peep stirrers:
- 3-4 gingerbread man marshmallow Peeps
- 3-4 drinking straws -- preferably with red and white stripes, if you can find them
Directions:
Step 1: Add the milk, half and half, white chocolate, brown sugar, and vanilla to a medium non-stick saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the white chocolate and brown sugar have melted into the milk mixture. Whisk every few minutes to ensure nothing sticks and the mixture is very smooth. Add the spices to the warm cocoa.
Step 2: Use a whisk to ensure the spices incorporate into the cocoa instead of simply floating on top. Turn off the heat and let the mixture steep for 5 minutes -- this allows the flavor of the spices to infuse into the cocoa.
Step 3: Use a ladle to transfer the warm cocoa into 3-4 holiday mugs. To make the marshmallow Peeps stirrer: insert one end of the straw into the bottom of each gingerbread man marshmallow Peep -- go slow so you dont stretch out the Peep too much. Top the cocoa with whipped cream and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. Insert the straw end of each stirrer into each mug of cocoa.
[NOTE: Depending on the depth of your mug and the length of your straw, you may need to cut the straw so the Peep rests just above the whipped cream -- with a bit of the straw showing!]
This hot white cocoa is decadently good...the white chocolate provides a rich creaminess, and the brown sugar and vanilla adds a slight caramel flavor in the background. The combination of warm spices is so comforting...with a little kick from the ginger. I especially enjoyed how the flavors in the cocoa combined with the spiced sugar coating on the cute gingerbread man marshmallow Peeps! This cocoa is a fun little treat that kids of all ages will love. I hope you make a batch soon for a pre-Christmas break from all the last-minute preparations.
Disclosure: Peeps sent me a package of their seasonal holiday products to facilitate this feature. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Frightfully Fun Entertaining with Gallo Family Vineyards Featuring Ghoulishly Good Red Moscato Punch SundaySupper
I opted to make a fun adults-only punch that features Gallo Family Vineyards’ Red Moscato. Moscato is one of my favorite wines, so I wanted to showcase its lovely sweetness. My Ghoulishly Good Red Moscato Punch is fruity...and a bit fizzy! It contains Gallos sweet and refreshing Red Moscato, orange liqueur, a duo of fruit juices, and citrus soda. A ghoulish ice hand floats eerily in the punch bowl. I’ll even show you how easy it is to make the icy hand as part of the recipe!
Ghoulishly Good Red Moscato Punch
a Weekend Gourmet Original
Ingredients for 8 servings:• 1 bottle Gallo Family Vineyards Red Moscato, well chilled
• 1/2 cup orange liqueur
• 2 cups chilled cranberry juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 32 ounces citrus-flavored soda [NOTE: I used diet soda, but feel free to substitute one with sugar if you prefer]
For the ice hand:
• 1 latex glove -- try to find ones that aren’t powdered. If not, make sure to clean it VERY THOROUGHLY with hot water before using!
• Water
Directions:
Step 1: Make the ice hand. Use a measuring cup to fill a clean latex glove with water nearly to the top -- make sure the water gets into every finger. Twist the top of the glove and secure tightly with a rubber band. Place the filled glove in the freezer until frozen solid -- I like to make it a day ahead.
The Gallo website also features a handy Store Locator and a $1 off digital coupon. You can also follow Gallo Family Vineyards via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for lots of great wine tips! While you’re at it, be sure to go check out all of the spooktacular Halloween recipes that this week’s #SundaySupper participants are sharing...don’t be scared! Whether you’re looking for a themed Halloween dinner idea or a creepy-good beverage, we’ve got you covered.
- Beef Stew with Ghost Dumplings by Mommas Meals
- Blackened Chicken Legs with Red Beets and Potatoes by Jelly Toast
- Brain Cupcakes with Red Moscato Wine Shooters by Hezzi-Ds Books and Cooks
- Dracula Wine Jelly by Basic N Delicious
- Gallo Family Red Moscato Cocktail by Flour On My Face
- Halloween Buffalo Ranch Pork Bites by Family Foodie
- Meringue Bones with Raspberry Sauce by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Mummy Calzone by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Poison Apple Pomegranate Sangria by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Pumpkin Chili by The Foodie Army Wife
- Red Moscato Candied Apples by The Messy Baker
- Red Moscato Spider Sangria by Run DMT
- Red Velvet Cake Eye Balls by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Red Wine Caramel and Chocolate Apples by Ruffles & Truffles
- Roasted Garlic Hummus by Alidas Kitchen
- Smoked Trout Pate Spider Bites by Shockingly Delicious
- Steak Bites with Bloody Maria Dipping Sauce by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Witches Blood Risotto by Bobbis Kozy Kitchen
- Zombie Bite Wine Slushies by Feed Me, Seymour
Be sure to join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter later today! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly live chat starts at 6:00 pm CST this evening. Simply follow the #SundaySupper hashtag -- and remember to include it in your tweets to join in on the lively chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, be sure to visit our website or check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Celebrating SundaySupper July 4th Fun Featuring Texas Creole Crawfish Potato Salad
This week’s #SundaySupper features everything you need to whip up a fun and delicious July 4th meal...from side dishes to main dishes to festive desserts. Think of your #SundaySupper bloggers as your one-stop shop for fantastic holiday-themed recipes! My contribution to the virtual cookout is a modern spin on an American classic: potato salad. Dont get me wrong: I LOVE potato old-fashioned potato salad. But...this time, I wanted to do something a bit different. Michael found a great recipe and showed it to me earlier this week...which usually means that he wants me to make the dish.
When I took a look, I was onboard in a split second. Try this on for size: Texas-Creole Crawfish Potato Salad. This recipe is my take on a recipe from Brennan’s Houston. Its one of my favorite restaurants of all time, and they really have an inventive way of combining Texas and Louisiana Creole flavors in delicious ways! I made a few tweaks to their recipe to suit our taste buds. I subbed cornichons (French baby pickles) for pickled okra, because that’s one veggie we no can do at Casa Garcia. I also left out the bell pepper since I cant eat it unless its cooked really well. Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped bell pepper if you like it.
To compensate for these changes, I upped the amount of boiled eggs and cooked bacon...so I hope all is forgiven. This defininitely ain’t your Mama’s potato salad, but it sure is good! It has just enough classic potato salad ingredients to taste familiar: boiled eggs, tangy pickles, and celery. Then? It takes a sharp detour with Cajun-spiced crawfish tails, sauteed shallot, and bacon. I know some of you might be skeptical, but sometimes different is good...
When I took a look, I was onboard in a split second. Try this on for size: Texas-Creole Crawfish Potato Salad. This recipe is my take on a recipe from Brennan’s Houston. Its one of my favorite restaurants of all time, and they really have an inventive way of combining Texas and Louisiana Creole flavors in delicious ways! I made a few tweaks to their recipe to suit our taste buds. I subbed cornichons (French baby pickles) for pickled okra, because that’s one veggie we no can do at Casa Garcia. I also left out the bell pepper since I cant eat it unless its cooked really well. Feel free to add 1/2 cup of chopped bell pepper if you like it.
To compensate for these changes, I upped the amount of boiled eggs and cooked bacon...so I hope all is forgiven. This defininitely ain’t your Mama’s potato salad, but it sure is good! It has just enough classic potato salad ingredients to taste familiar: boiled eggs, tangy pickles, and celery. Then? It takes a sharp detour with Cajun-spiced crawfish tails, sauteed shallot, and bacon. I know some of you might be skeptical, but sometimes different is good...
Texas-Creole Crawfish Potato Salad
adapted from Brennans Houston
Step 1: Boil 1 lb. potatoes and two large eggs in salted water. I used a package of Dutch yellow peewee potatoes, but fingerlings or Yukon gold potatoes would work well too. While the potatoes and eggs cook, make the dressing. Combine the following ingredients in a large measuring cup: 2/3 cup mayo, 1/4 cup Creole mustard (Zatarains is good), the juice of half a lemon, and 1/4 cup pickle brine. Whisk to combine and set aside.
Step 2: Cook 3 slices applewood bacon until crispy and crumble; set aside. Drain the grease from the pan and add 1 tbs. olive oil. Saute 1/3 cup sliced celery and 1/2 cup diced shallot for a few minutes...until they are softened a bit, but still a bit crunchy. Set aside to cool. Add 1 more tbs. olive oil to the pan and add 1/2 pound crawfish tails and 1 tbs. Cajun seasoning. Cook until heated through over med heat.
Step 3: When the potatoes and eggs are cooked, cool. Peel and dice the cooled eggs and set aside. Place the cooled potatoes in a large bowl and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add the reserved shallot, celery, and bacon. Then, add 1/3 cup sliced cornichons, 3 sliced green onions, and the cooked crawfish.
Step 4: Pour the dressing over the top and stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to let the potato salad chill...and the flavors to combine. Serve as a side dish, or as a light Summer supper.
Oh. My. This unique potato salad is OUT of this world!! The earthy potatoes, creamy and tangy dressing, spicy and sweet crawfish, and smoky bacon work perfectly together...and I LOVED the shallot and cornichons. Every bite of this potato salad featured a slightly different flavor and texture profile, depending on what was on the fork. Truth told, I couldve eaten the entire bowl of this potato myself, but I shared with Michael since hes the one who found the recipe!!
If you want to join in the weekly fun, all you have to do is visit our founder Isabel from Family Foodie and let her know you want to take part in our group. We will be sharing our featured recipes all afternoon via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Then, well be having a live chat on Twitter at 530 EST. Use the hashtag #SundaySupper, and come join in on the fun. While youre at it, take a look at all the fabulous recipes my fellow #SundaySupper bloggers are sharing! We look forward to spending time Around the Family Table with you!!!
Main Dishes:
- Tender & Sweet Crockpot Brisket Juanita’s Cocina
- Savory Patriotic Chicken Kabobs Big Bear’s Wife
- Firecracker Salmon Rolls Comfy Cuisine
- Red, White & Blue Grilled Pizza Momma’s Meals
- Baby Back Ribs with Balsamic Peach BBQ Sauce Damn Delicious
- Bubblin’ Brown Sugar Baby Back Ribs In The Kitchen With KP
- Buttermilk Oven Fried Chicken The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Beef Mrs. Mama Hen
- Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Salad with Perfectly Grilled Chicken and Potatoes Daddy Knows Less
- Texas Smoked Brisket Doggie At The Dinner Table
- Grilled Chicken in a Blueberry BBQ Sauce Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Chicken Burgers with Curried Cabbage Slaw-Indian Soni’s Food for Thought
- Finger Foods for the Fourth Pescetarian Journal
- Grilled Pork Satays with Peanut Sauce Tora’s Real Food
Salads and Sides:
- Southwestern Corn and Black Bean Salad Supper for a Steal
- Roasted/Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan Katherine Martinelli
- Patriotic Ranch Potato Salad The Meltaways
- Roasted Red Pepper & White Bean Salad Are you hungry
- Texas-Creole Crawfish Potato Salad The Weekend gourmet
- Spicy Italian Peppers in Sauce What Smells so Good?
- Sangria Fruit Salad Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Stuffed Black Olive Cookistry
- Mexican Quinoa Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing Dinners Dishes and Desserts
- Low Fat Pasta Salad Basic and Delicious
- Bean Salad with Pickled Vegetables Diabetic Foodie
- Tomato and Mozzarella Appetizer Family Foodie
Desserts:
- Red White & Blueberry Ricotta Cupcakes Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Red Velvet Brownies Magnolia Days
- S’mores Pastries Daily Dish Recipes
- Red, White and Blue Firecracker Cupcakes Chocolate Moosey
- Caramel-filled Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream The Messy Baker
- Strawberry and Cream Cake Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- White Chocolate Berry Tart Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Red White and Blue Coconut Rum Cake Family Spice
- Individual Red White and Blue Triffles Chelsea’s Culinary Indulgence
- Mini Carrot Cakes Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Plum and Apple Pies Cositas Bonitas
Fabulous Wine Pairings by Martin from ENOFYLZ
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Announcing A Food Lovers Weekend in Dallas and a Dallas BIG Family Fun Prize Package Giveaway!!
Its time to announce the next city in our continuing A Food Lovers Weekend In... travelogue series. This time, were sticking close to home to spotlight Dallas! We went to college in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, so were very excited to check out some of the areas best food and attractions later this month. For those not familiar with Texas geography, Dallas is located in North Texas. Fort Worth is located nearby, and there are lots of smaller communities between these two large cities. Collectively, this area is known as the Metroplex. Dallas is a large city that has a thriving food scene that were excited to explore! I have received lots of planning assistance for this trip from the helpful staff of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, and we have a great lineup of restaurants and attractions that we plan to share with you! When we were in college, we passed this view of the Dallas skyline many times...and its especially pretty at night!
Our hotel accommodations for this trip are being provided by the NYLO Dallas South Side Hotel. This ultramodern boutique property is part of the 4-hotel NYLO Hotels group. They have three locations in Dallas and one location in New York. The South Side location features 76 loft-style eco-friendly rooms and 8 suites. The property incorporates unique urban design elements including: polished concrete floors, 10+ foot-high ceilings, large windows that allow lots of natural light and afford city views, locally-sourced artwork and custom furnishings. They also offer upscale amenities, including: a 42-inch flat screen HDTV and WiFi in all rooms. The property also features a rooftop pool that features sweeping city views and a popular adjacent bar named Soda Bar.
restaurants well be spotlighting.
Im so excited about our upcoming trip, that Im sharing the fun with you!! In conjunction with our upcoming Dallas travelogue, The Weekend Gourmet is happy to host a fun Dallas giveaway. One lucky winner is going to experience BIG Family Fun in Dallas this Summer! The fabulous prize package pictured left is being provided by the nice people at the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. The prize package includes the following:
- Four tickets (two adult + two youth) to the gorgeous outdoor Dallas Arboretum
- Tickets valid daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Expiration date: December 31, 2013
- One BIG card for savings at other Dallas Family Fun venues
- Fun summer essentials for the entire family to enjoy in Dallas, including four colorful water bottles.
To enter the contest, simply leave me a comment below. Tell me what you and your family would most like to do when you win the prize package and head to Dallas. Please make sure to include your e-mail address in your comment so I can easily contact you if youre the winner. Ill accept entries until this Sunday (7/7) at 1159 p.m. CST. The winner will be contacted via e-mail on Monday 7/8. Good luck!!!
Saturday, February 7, 2015
What Does a Foodie Do for Fun
Yep, I spent my weekend at a food bloggers conference in San Francisco totally geeking out on all things food!
But I wasnt the only one. Nooooo, there were LOTS of us. Somewhere between 300-400 of us to be exact, and that represented just a tiny percentage of Foodbuzz Featured Publishers and community members. Foodbuzz is an online community of food bloggers and foodies that provides a social media platform for users around the world to interact and share their food experiences.
But I wasnt the only one. Nooooo, there were LOTS of us. Somewhere between 300-400 of us to be exact, and that represented just a tiny percentage of Foodbuzz Featured Publishers and community members. Foodbuzz is an online community of food bloggers and foodies that provides a social media platform for users around the world to interact and share their food experiences.
There were awesome food bloggers (back row left to right: Emily, Rosa)(front row left to right: Cate, Whitney, Ashlee, Amy, me, Mike):
There was great weather in the city:
There were great breakout sessions:
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| photography session |
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| definitely buying these light bulbs! |
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| fantastic demo sponsored by Alaska Seafood |
Chef Mary Sue Milliken
There was great food and wine:
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| Amazing fish tacos |
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| Bonny Doon Vineyard provided absolutely amazing wine pairings with each course |
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| Mission Minis cupcakes that spelled out Foodbuzz |
There were fun times with Lew, Mike and Nate from Foodbuzz:
and Kathleen, Emily, me, Whitney, and Ashlee:
There were celebrity chefs like Jeffrey Saad..
Jeffrey Saads beautiful wife, Kathleen, Emily, Jeffrey Saad, me, Ashlee, and Whitney:
Jeffrey Saads beautiful wife, Kathleen, Emily, Jeffrey Saad, me, Ashlee, and Whitney:
It was so great to meet Jeffrey Saad from Next Food Network Star and he told us that he has a new show debuting on The Cooking Channel on Tuesday, Nov. 16th. Cant wait to check it out!
It was a fun-filled foodie weekend but it didnt end in San Francisco. From this event, I went straight to a pre-grand opening tour of one of Whole Foods latest locations set to open this Wednesday, Nov. 10th - Blossom Hill - in San Jose, CA. One word... FABULOUS... but more on that tomorrow...
It was a fun-filled foodie weekend but it didnt end in San Francisco. From this event, I went straight to a pre-grand opening tour of one of Whole Foods latest locations set to open this Wednesday, Nov. 10th - Blossom Hill - in San Jose, CA. One word... FABULOUS... but more on that tomorrow...
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